For a while, Hades ruled the underworld with Persephone, however, Hades had abducted her from the upperworld. Zeus ordered him to release Persephone back into Demeter, her mother. However, before she left he gave her a pomegranate and when she ate of it, it bound her to the underworld forever so she could never leave.
Areas of Expertise:
God of death. He controls Harpies and other forces of darkness.
He feeds off of tears and fears of humans.
He never lets anyone leave his relm, however, he does sometimes
He also has a helmet, given to him by the Cyclopes, which can make him invisible.
Hades rules the dead, assisted by various helpers, such as the ferryman Charon. and the three-headed hound Cerebus.
Related to:
He is the son of Cronus and Rhea. (Titans)
He has siblings: Heista, Demeter, Hera, Zeus and Poseidon.
When the three sons of Cronus divided the world among each other, Hades was given the underworld.
His brothers took the upperworld (Zeus) and the sea (Poseidon).
Modern Connections:
the Devil
Hell
Dionysus:
Background
In one story, Dionysus is the son of Zeus and a mortal woman, Semele. Semele was killed by Zeus’s lightning bolts while pregnant, but Dionysus was rescued and later born from Zeus’s thigh. He was later given to nymphs to be raised.
In another version of the story, Dionysus (referred to as Zagreus here) is the son of Zeus and Persephone. Hera gets the Titans to lure baby Zagreus out of the Underworld with toys, and they rip everything but his heart to shreds. His heart is saved by one of three goddesses (depending on the version), Athena, Rhea, or Demeter. Zeus rebuilds his son from his heart, and gives him to Semele to bear him again, this time as Dionysus Zagreus.
Areas of Expertise
Patron god of Greek stage
fertility in nature
wine
agriculture
Also represents the mysteries of several religions
Related to:
Zeus
Semele
Persephones
Modern Connections
Dionysus Wine and Spirits Company.
Dionysus Salon and Spa
Dionysus’ Kitchen
Artemis:
Background:
Armed with a silver bow and arrows, she chased stags and other wild animals.
Yet, as Goddess of the Hunt, she protected young animals and looked after young children.
She could bring deadly diseases to whole cities and cure them, too.
Like Apollo, who was linked to the sun as God of Light and Truth, Artemis was connected to the moon as a symbol of purity.
Areas of Expertise:
Goddess of the Hunt
Goddess of the Moon
Goddess of Children
Related to:
Artemis was the twin sister of Apollo.
Like Athena and Hestia, Artemis never married.
Zeus and Leto were her parents.
Modern Connections:
Artemis is always associated with the color of silver . There is a color called Artemis Silver for paint.
There is also a saxaphone brand that has an Atemis line, which has special silver keys.
Hermes:
Background:
He was Zeus’s messenger.
He wore a winged golden helmet - sometimes a silver one - to protect himself from bad weather.
His golden winged sandals gave him speed.
He carried a magic golden wand or caduceus, a gift from Apollo, to guide him on his journeys.
Areas of Expertise:
God of Motion
God of Sleep and Dreams
God of Commerce
God of Travelers
One of his jobs was to lead the dead to Hades’ Lower World. Another was to watch over tradesmen and travelers.
He also helped travelers sleep well and have pleasant dreams. Hermes invented fire, written music, boxing and the lyre, his gift to Apollo.
Related to:
Zeus and Maia were his parents.
Modern Connections:
The famous flying sandles are a symbol for many track teams, including our own.
His Roman Name is Mercury, which is one of our planets.
Hade: